A federal court revoked the U.S. citizenship of Joff Stenn Wroy Philossaint, 25, of Fort Lauderdale, after he was found to have illegally obtained his citizenship by making false statements and defrauding COVID-19 relief programs, according to a March 17 announcement.
The case highlights the consequences for individuals who obtain immigration benefits through deception and commit federal crimes. Authorities said Philossaint’s actions undermined programs intended to support small businesses during the pandemic.
U.S. District Judge Rodney Smith ordered the revocation after determining that Philossaint concealed his involvement in a scheme that submitted 40 fraudulent loan applications between April 2020 and May 2021. The applications contained false information about revenues and payrolls, resulting in approximately $3.8 million in loan proceeds. Philossaint personally received about $549,000 from the scheme through loan proceeds and kickbacks.
Philossaint applied for U.S. citizenship in February 2020 and falsely denied any criminal activity during his naturalization interview on December 15, 2020. He was granted citizenship on February 9, 2021. In September 2022, he was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of conspiracy to launder money, and unlawful procurement of citizenship. He pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charges and was found guilty by a jury of obtaining citizenship contrary to law.
He was sentenced on June 26, 2023, to fifty months in federal prison. On February 23, the court granted a motion from prosecutors to revoke his U.S. citizenship.
“United States citizenship is one of the greatest privileges our nation can offer, and it must be earned honestly,” said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. “This defendant built his path to citizenship on false statements while stealing millions from programs meant to keep small businesses alive during the pandemic. The court’s order revoking his citizenship restores accountability and reinforces a simple principle: if you lie to obtain immigration benefits and commit federal crimes, you will lose what you unlawfully gained.”
